Today started National Transgender Awareness Week and it usually takes place between November 13th and 19th. It has become a time for transgender people and their allies to come together, share their stories, highlight the community, and talk about issues that they face every day. This is also a time in which the general public … Continue reading National Transgender Awareness Week
With Age Comes Invisibility
There is always a lot of information about helping LGBTQ youth; providing counseling, support structures, education, and awareness. That is important, as these are people that fall through the cracks, but the flip of that spectrum is as equally important. Our LGBTQ elders also need the very same support systems and the infrastructure isn’t there … Continue reading With Age Comes Invisibility
Forest for the Trees
LGBTQ people now have television representation of about 10%, in the U.S. we are allowed to marry, many states have some form of protection rights (many do not), and it would appear we even have a more tolerant climate, the truth is we are missing the forest because of all of the trees. This Administration … Continue reading Forest for the Trees
How Do You Define Your Community?
In my 46 years, I have lived in many places but most of them have always been smaller towns. The one thing that rings true to all of them is that the LGBTQ people there always say there is no community. Some take the literal meaning of a group of people living in the same … Continue reading How Do You Define Your Community?
Rise and Resist
With marriage equality, people seeming to be more accepting of LGBTQ people, and many states starting to offer protection status to LGBTQ people, we often forget that there are still vast hurdles to overcome. In 2018, there were 26 tracked deaths of transgender or gender non-conforming people in this U.S. and for 2019, we have … Continue reading Rise and Resist
In Memory of Harvey Milk
As LGBTQ people, we have had so many great leaders and role models in our history. For me, one that stands out is Harvey Milk. He was the first openly gay elected official and bucked the system to get where he was. He started small and grew to lead an entire neighborhood while welcoming LGBTQ … Continue reading In Memory of Harvey Milk
Using Our History in Finding Your Place
As National LGBTQ History month comes to close we should reflect back on the many important people and events that have came before us. They are important because it is what makes our family. My very first boyfriend gave me the most important lesson I still carry with me to this day. It was this, … Continue reading Using Our History in Finding Your Place
LGBTQ History of the Holocaust
I have found, personally, that when discussing the history of LGBTQ rights that it can lead to very different conversations. Some feel that the past is best kept there and focusing on current issues are more important. Others feel that we should use our past struggle as a guidepost for how to meet the challenges … Continue reading LGBTQ History of the Holocaust
How LGBTQ People Have Contributed to the World
Our city, Cleveland, has had a few victories this year that definitely need celebrating. While we still have a fight ahead of us, acknowledging where we have made advances gives us strength to fight on. Share with me in this and know that each of you are a part of this. All to often you … Continue reading How LGBTQ People Have Contributed to the World
Let Me Ask You Something…
In honor of it being National LGBTQ History Month I thought I would dedicate my blog to sharing coming out stories, facts and or questions about coming out, LGBTQ history tidbits, and things that are important but feel good at the same time. So, sit back, read, and as always let me know what you … Continue reading Let Me Ask You Something…
Gay in the CLE 